7th Annual Christmas Thread

Exciting to see this thread, I haven't even thought about what I am getting my two boys who will be 7 and almost 6. DS 7 will def be getting Lego's, probably a lot of them, lol. DS5 will be getting the new the Skylanders, but don't know from who yet.

We will be in Disney in November, so I hoping to pick up some things then.

:santa::santa::santa::santa:
 
DH gave me the thumbs up on my ideas with a few minor adjustments :thumbsup2

Sitting here and thinking, OMgoodness, the girlfriend... DS20 has one that I think may stick around for a while... So, no what to get her :scratchin
 
We go away on vacation at Christmas so don't really do many gifts. The kids who are teens will get stockings (treats and gift cards mostly fill them) and then maybe something else they are wanting. We always do an excursion/activity geared towards their likes/interests while on the trip so that is main gift besides the trip.

My oldest lives 12 hours away and does not go on this vacation with us so we send her a box of food treats, a stocking and gift cards.

With my side of the family we don't exchange gifts either so just get together for a big meal one weekend after returning from our trip to spend time together.

On hubby's side of the family we get together for a meal before vacation and just do a small Chinese gift exchange.

Makes for easy stress free holidays and so glad we started doing this 3 years ago. Kids love the travelling and the time we get together and so its all about making memories now instead of stuff.
 
DH gave me the thumbs up on my ideas with a few minor adjustments :thumbsup2

Sitting here and thinking, OMgoodness, the girlfriend... DS20 has one that I think may stick around for a while... So, no what to get her :scratchin


Is she a college student? Maybe a stocking filled with some of her favorite things....candies, snacks, gum, small gift cards, $5 here and there to places like Subway, Chick fil A, gas, grocery store?
 

Just getting started on my lists. I think we will also be scaling back this year.

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have to move our December trip :( to May, so they will both get Disney gc's and t-shirt, then...

DS 15 luggage, Itunes gc, tennis shoes (he's in a size 15 now so they have to be ordered!), and something from ThinkGeek

DS 6 More sand. He loves his Kinetic sand. It's the one thing he consistently plays with. I saw they were coming out with some larger sets for the holidays, so he'll be getting some. Lanyard & pins for trading at Disney, and possibly an Ipod for playing games on so he'll leave my phone alone! ;)

That's what I have so far. Time to start shopping! :banana:
 
Thank you for the great ideas. Sometimes it takes someone else to come up with ideas.
She also enjoys movies, could do movie tickets with popcorn and drink.

Will wait til much closer to Christmas to purchase but want to have ideas in my head now.
 
Yipee ... I am so excited that this thread is here again this year :cool1:. I am not ready to put the summer clothes away yet but we can start planning in flip flops, right?!!!

Haven't made any lists yet but I noticed that Shutterfly is having a 40% sale off everything until Sept. 2nd so I am hoping to get some items for parents, in-laws, etc. Might even get my Christmas cards too with this sale if I am lucky.

So happy to be spending Christmas preparations with all of you:santa:
 
Ok..so I have been out of pocket for a few days…my middle son started at a new high school..so that has been a transition…also, my daughter started dance at a new studio, my hubby finally got home yesterday after a week of out-of-town business…which included closing on an investment property that we have been trying to sell for a loooong long time. And the first closing was scheduled for July 11…we didn't close until Tuesday!!!! We are sooo very very thankful that it is closed and done. That is one reason he was gone so many days~ he went down primarily to close it on Friday and they kept pushing it back…anyway, we are glad he's home and we can close that chapter of our business!!!! And my ds15 seems to be adjusting ok..he had a very hard afternoon Wed when we got home… I think all the anticipation of this new thing finally hit him…. he was ready to not go back and us put him in the other school that is our option here… but I think by today he is getting the hang of his schedule and classes. So, if you think about it, or are so inclined,please say a prayer for my son. I would really appreciate it…and that he would make some good friends…we still don't really know anyone here…
And my ds18 is loving college!!! So that is a positive for sure!!! …back on topic here :welcome: to all the new people on this thread…since I had meetings yesterday and couldn't get on the boards


17 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
 
Ok..so I have been out of pocket for a few days…my middle son started at a new high school..so that has been a transition…also, my daughter started dance at a new studio, my hubby finally got home yesterday after a week of out-of-town business…which included closing on an investment property that we have been trying to sell for a loooong long time. And the first closing was scheduled for July 11…we didn't close until Tuesday!!!! We are sooo very very thankful that it is closed and done. That is one reason he was gone so many days~ he went down primarily to close it on Friday and they kept pushing it back…anyway, we are glad he's home and we can close that chapter of our business!!!! And my ds15 seems to be adjusting ok..he had a very hard afternoon Wed when we got home… I think all the anticipation of this new thing finally hit him…. he was ready to not go back and us put him in the other school that is our option here… but I think by today he is getting the hang of his schedule and classes. So, if you think about it, or are so inclined,please say a prayer for my son. I would really appreciate it…and that he would make some good friends…we still don't really know anyone here…
And my ds18 is loving college!!! So that is a positive for sure!!! …back on topic here :welcome: to all the new people on this thread…since I had meetings yesterday and couldn't get on the boards


17 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

I will 100% keep your son in my thoughts! I have a feeling he will adjust perfectly. It may take some time and there will be anxiety involved, but he'll do it. Have him look for an activity either at school or even outside it that he would enjoy. This will help him meet new people in general and may make things easier all around. Trust me. I get it. Just moved to where I am living now back in March. I was lucky that I have family here, but it's still been hard to meet others!

This week has been crazy here as well. I went from having 0 jobs to having 2 part time jobs. So nothing like jumping into the insanity. Then my cousin and her husband just bought a new house so I have been helping them pack up as they close by the end of September. On top of all of that, I have been dealing with some really bad back issues. Today I am pretty much bed bound besides for when I have to get up (like going to the bathroom). It's my sciatic nerve so the pain is also in my hips and going down my leg. Just seems to happen randomly.

I have also been working on packing for my October trip! I know it is early, but need to know if I can get away with just carry on for the trip there. I am packing a duffel bag at the bottom of my suitcase so I can check one bag on the way back because I know I will buy WAY too much. So clothes and the liked will be checked coming back so I can take all my purchases on the plane with me!

Still working on what to get my cousins (one good and one I don't like). I think I have most everyone else figured out. And most gifts won't be bought until I am in Disney. Or like for my dad, not until right before since I am ordering pizzas from Chicago to have shipped for him. He loves stuff like that.
 
Hello! We are a family of 6, we have 4 children, 2 boys ages 17 and 5 and 2 girls ages 14 and 6. Our youngest son was adopted from China last year, he was home in tome for Christmas last year and really enjoyed his first!

All of our family lives close and we typically split the holidays between my parents and Dh's parents. But, Ive had enough of that and I booked us 2 weeks at WDW for Christmas and New Years! :cheer2: We did this 4 years ago and while our families weren't very excited about it, it worked out great and we had a blast.

We will celebrate with the families before or after we go. For our home celebration, I plan on prompting the children to write our elf a letter about celebrating early since we will not be home, so we will get presents done while at home a week or two before leaving. Then while there they will get a few gifts and stockings. We do drive, so I am able to pack as much as needed, but I dont want to pack a ton of gifts.

We will be at Magic Kingdom for Christmas and will eat at Cinderellas castle for breakfast to start our day. This trip is our main gifts to our children and ourselves.

I am interested in hearing though about ideas for the kids, anyone else experience celebrating early with kiddos who still believe? Im sure we can pull it off, Christmas isn't all about presents and our children mostly understand that. Im thinking about having a cookie or popcorn/snack delivered at the hotel. I did try that last time and it all arrived late though.
 
Hello! We are a family of 6, we have 4 children, 2 boys ages 17 and 5 and 2 girls ages 14 and 6. Our youngest son was adopted from China last year, he was home in tome for Christmas last year and really enjoyed his first!

All of our family lives close and we typically split the holidays between my parents and Dh's parents. But, Ive had enough of that and I booked us 2 weeks at WDW for Christmas and New Years! :cheer2: We did this 4 years ago and while our families weren't very excited about it, it worked out great and we had a blast.

We will celebrate with the families before or after we go. For our home celebration, I plan on prompting the children to write our elf a letter about celebrating early since we will not be home, so we will get presents done while at home a week or two before leaving. Then while there they will get a few gifts and stockings. We do drive, so I am able to pack as much as needed, but I dont want to pack a ton of gifts.

We will be at Magic Kingdom for Christmas and will eat at Cinderellas castle for breakfast to start our day. This trip is our main gifts to our children and ourselves.

I am interested in hearing though about ideas for the kids, anyone else experience celebrating early with kiddos who still believe? Im sure we can pull it off, Christmas isn't all about presents and our children mostly understand that. Im thinking about having a cookie or popcorn/snack delivered at the hotel. I did try that last time and it all arrived late though.

:welcome:
I have actually thought about moving our December trip to Christmas…you are making me want to do it even more! LOL!! I have never been over the actual break and know that it is really super crowded…but if I can use my travel agent discount for that time of year it may be about the same as what we have now….
How special that you got a child from China!!!! I know several people in our area who have done that…at first it was just girl babies, but now people are getting boys and girls.. I think it's just wonderful!!
As for getting treats delivered to the room, call a few days before you arrive and check on the order with the front desk…there is a company that does all that…do you know which one I am talking about? I forget the name right this minute, but I can look for it if you don't know...
 
Excited to join this thread. I have gotten so many ideas in the past years from others. We have five grandsons from 22yrs to 9 yrs, and one granddaughter 8 yrs. We give money, but I always try to have a gift bag too. So hard to decide.
To those going to Disney for Christmas, it's so festive!!!
 
Excited to join this thread. I have gotten so many ideas in the past years from others. We have five grandsons from 22yrs to 9 yrs, and one granddaughter 8 yrs. We give money, but I always try to have a gift bag too. So hard to decide.
To those going to Disney for Christmas, it's so festive!!!

Glad to have you join in!!!! Lots of grand boys!!! And just one granddaughter…my mom has 3 grandsons and one granddaughter…lots of boys to lookout for her when she's older!
 
I can't believe it is almost time for Christmas!!

I will be following this thread. DD will be 10 by the time Dec. comes around and I have no idea what to get her. Whenever she mentions xmas it is usually asking for something she is not getting. Top choices are a crazy cart (go cart type thing) and a smart phone. I just don't see the need for her to have a smart phone in 5th grade:confused3

She does have an iPod touch that I would love to replace (DH bought her a refurbed one from Gamestop or something in June without running it by me:mad:) It has horrible issues with the battery life. I really wish DH has mentioned it before he bought it b/c I could have found a decent deal on a new one for just a bit more and we wouldn't have to listen to the whining about how it was just 100% charged and is now 20%.

If everything goes to plan our little boy will be here and will be able 3 weeks old at xmas. Since he will be a little young to care he will most likely get a stuffed Duffy and maybe an exersaucer for when he is a little older.

The thing that I'm really not looking forward to this year is the return of Elf on the Shelf. She usually comes to our house on Dec. 1 and gets into all types of mischief. I will be having a c-section the week of Dec. 1 and the last thing I am going to want to do is find ideas for the elf. DD asked if I thought a second elf would come for the baby and I said NO WAY!!
 
I can't believe it is almost time for Christmas!!

I will be following this thread. DD will be 10 by the time Dec. comes around and I have no idea what to get her. Whenever she mentions xmas it is usually asking for something she is not getting. Top choices are a crazy cart (go cart type thing) and a smart phone. I just don't see the need for her to have a smart phone in 5th grade:confused3

She does have an iPod touch that I would love to replace (DH bought her a refurbed one from Gamestop or something in June without running it by me:mad:) It has horrible issues with the battery life. I really wish DH has mentioned it before he bought it b/c I could have found a decent deal on a new one for just a bit more and we wouldn't have to listen to the whining about how it was just 100% charged and is now 20%.

If everything goes to plan our little boy will be here and will be able 3 weeks old at xmas. Since he will be a little young to care he will most likely get a stuffed Duffy and maybe an exersaucer for when he is a little older.

The thing that I'm really not looking forward to this year is the return of Elf on the Shelf. She usually comes to our house on Dec. 1 and gets into all types of mischief. I will be having a c-section the week of Dec. 1 and the last thing I am going to want to do is find ideas for the elf. DD asked if I thought a second elf would come for the baby and I said NO WAY!!


:welcome: my oldest was a Csection on Dec 4…by Christmas day I was up and moving and okay, but that first week you do have to take it easy!! Even on days when you think you are better, do NOT overdo it!!!
I think a new iPod would be great..that's what my 11 yo dd is wanting ….she will not get a phone until she's 13…unless we feel that at some point from being away at dance or church events more and more she will need it ..but that's when our boys' got phones, so she will probably wait too.
As for the Elf on the shelf, have your hubby stick him in the room wherever the baby will be an make it stay there for a while~~fix a note or two beforehand saying that he is in AWE of the new baby and just wants to be where he is. That way you can change a note or two out if you want to when you are doing a nighttime feeding and won't take any creative energy out of you! LOL!!!
 
:welcome: my oldest was a Csection on Dec 4…by Christmas day I was up and moving and okay, but that first week you do have to take it easy!! Even on days when you think you are better, do NOT overdo it!!!
I think a new iPod would be great..that's what my 11 yo dd is wanting ….she will not get a phone until she's 13…unless we feel that at some point from being away at dance or church events more and more she will need it ..but that's when our boys' got phones, so she will probably wait too.
As for the Elf on the shelf, have your hubby stick him in the room wherever the baby will be an make it stay there for a while~~fix a note or two beforehand saying that he is in AWE of the new baby and just wants to be where he is. That way you can change a note or two out if you want to when you are doing a nighttime feeding and won't take any creative energy out of you! LOL!!!

That is a good idea, and a reason why the Elf has never visited our house. :)

DD 10 is likely getting a new iPod touch because she broke the screen on her old one - TWICE! After we debated and chose to pay to have the screen replaced the first time, she wasn't careful and dropped it after having it home not even 24 hours (and before we could buy some sort of OtterBox cover). :furious:

However, right now she is interested in the 6th generation that are coming out in October, and she plans on saving her own money for it. Since a 6th generation could well be out of Santa's budget, I am not sure what to do. Santa could give her money towards it, but then there isn't anything for her to open/play with/use on Christmas morning. I do like the idea of her taking responsibility and saving her money. That is how she bought the first one last year (Mom and Dad paid the tax and the protection plan - yes, it had already expired by the time she dropped this one!)
 
OK, I keep going back and forth on the Ipod Touch thing.

All 3 of my kids already have tablets, and both of the girls have a "dumb" phone. (My son bought himself a smart phone, so I'm not even considering the Touch for him.)

The only time the Touch would really come in handy is to and from school-- when the tablet is home. When they do have access to the tablet, the Touch is redundant.

I drive them to school, so we're talking about a 10 minute bus ride home for one daughter and a mile's walk for the other.

Does that "justify" getting the Touch instead of spending that same money on, say, a pair of Uggs or some other high budget gift???

Anyone want to help me sort out my thoughts??
 
OK, I keep going back and forth on the Ipod Touch thing.

All 3 of my kids already have tablets, and both of the girls have a "dumb" phone. (My son bought himself a smart phone, so I'm not even considering the Touch for him.)

The only time the Touch would really come in handy is to and from school-- when the tablet is home. When they do have access to the tablet, the Touch is redundant.

I drive them to school, so we're talking about a 10 minute bus ride home for one daughter and a mile's walk for the other.

Does that "justify" getting the Touch instead of spending that same money on, say, a pair of Uggs or some other high budget gift???

Anyone want to help me sort out my thoughts??


Well, that's tough….Do they really want one? Is it more convenient for each of them to get a Touch? I am curious what other moms say… I am not sure what the pros and cons of a tablet are because my kids never had that….are the tablets basically like an iPad?
 
They have a Samsung version of an Ipad. So when they're home, they have internet access, they can text/Vine/Twitter/ITunes... all that stuff.

The more I think about it (at least at the moment), the less I think it's worth even the price for a refurbished model.
 


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